Kamaru Usman Believes He is Nonetheless Greatest Welterweight in UFC

Kamaru Usman is within the midst of the worst stretch of his profession — at the least so far as wins and losses go — however the Nigerian Nightmare says do not get it twisted … he is nonetheless one of the best 170 lb. fighter on the planet’s high MMA promotion!

The previous longtime welterweight champ, now ranked fifth, joined Babcock on the “TMZ Sports activities” TV present (airs nightly on FS1) … simply days earlier than his extremely anticipated scrap with Seventh-ranked Joaquin Buckley.

Kamaru says, regardless of a 600+ day layoff, he is able to go.

Whereas Buckley, 31, is within the midst of a 6-fight win streak (together with victories over opps like Vicente Luque, Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson and Colby Covington) … Usman has had a rougher go of it as of late.

Kamaru has misplaced three straight, however that does not start to inform the complete story. As champ, he misplaced his belt to Leon Edwards in August 2022 … a struggle he was dominating till Rocky landed a last-minute head kick that ended the struggle. They rematched 7 months later — an in depth struggle that Kamaru misplaced by resolution. Usman then accepted a scrap with Khamzat Chimaev on 10 days discover, at middleweight (185 lbs.), which he additionally misplaced by resolution.

We requested Kamaru, regardless of the streak, whether or not he believed he may regain his title.

“Completely. I really feel like I am higher than each a type of guys forward of me.”

However, that is to not say Buckley is not harmful … ‘trigger he’s.

“Joaquin may be very, very aggressive. Youthful, hungry, powerful dude. Very, very explosive. Aggressive. And he’s fairly well-rounded,” Kamaru instructed us, giving his scouting report.

Usman added … “It is my job to go in there and simply sort of let him know that, ‘You are doing factor, however you are simply not there but.”

We additionally requested Kamaru if he thinks a win would set him up for a crack on the present champ.

“Completely. I feel with a end over Buckley this weekend, I am subsequent in line for that shot,” Usman mentioned, earlier than explaining his rationale.

“In the event you actually have a look at the division and also you have a look at the panorama of the place we’re with the UFC and everybody, I do not imply to sound some kind of approach, however I feel so far as on the lookout for the most important identify and the most important struggle in that division, I feel it is me.”

However, first issues first … Usman’s gotta beat Buckley on Saturday.